Looking for a Dietitian job in the UK?
Here’s what you need to know.
Are you planning to move to the UK for work? But are confused on how and where to start looking for a job or whether you will get a job from outside of the UK? Here are a few tips that might help you.
Register with the Health and care professions council (HCPC)
If you haven’t already done that, I would suggest you apply for registration with the Health and care professions council, UK. It is the first thing you need to do before applying for jobs as it is a mandatory requirement for dietitians. If you are looking for guidance regarding the application process, check out my story on registering with the health and care professions council(UK) where I share my own experience of the application process, if you are applying internationally.
Sign up on the NHS UK jobs website
Once you’ve applied for HCPC registration, you can set up your profile on the NHS jobs website and save it. When filling the various boxes while setting up your profile, be honest and mention any gaps in your employment or experience, and give details of your experiences clearly.
Start looking for jobs and apply, don’t worry about the HCPC registration as there is an option where you can tell that your application is in process. As you will need a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) to apply for a visa to come to the UK, it's best you start applying for jobs as soon as you submit your application to the HCPC. And yes! you can get CoS if you are eligible for a job and get selected. 😀
While you are looking for jobs, don’t just apply for the ones you want, apply for all who are willing to hire you from another country. It’s always best practice to utilise the contact details provided for each post to ask for more details and to see if you fit their criteria. Don’t just apply for band 5 jobs, apply for band 6 posts as well.
Options for those already in the UK
If you are someone who is already living in the UK and is registered with the HCPC, there are some other ways to look for jobs in addition to the NHS job website.
You can go for locum jobs. Yes, that's right! Dietitians can do locum work through private recruitment agencies like the Maxxima group, NHS professionals and many more. You can email them about your interests and try your luck.
Create a LinkedIn profile
Last but not least, create your LinkedIn profile and fill in all your details honestly. LinkedIn is one of the best places to showcase your qualifications and experiences and open opportunities for yourself, connect with recruiters, some might even approach you by themselves.
Get in touch with different NHS Trusts in your area
You can also find contact details for the Nutrition and Dietetics departments of different NHS Trusts near you and call or email them and ask if they have any shadowing opportunities or placements that they can offer you, start with unpaid work if you have to, build up your skills and rapport and keep looking out for jobs in the meantime.
I did some locum work before I got a permanent job with the NHS, it requires some patience but you get there, eventually.
All the best to all of you who are looking for a job!
Hope this article was useful. 🙂
